Dorothy Newbury-Birch, Grant J. McGeechan and Aisha Holloway
Evidence in the UK tells us that risky drinking is high amongst those in contact with the criminal justice system. The purpose of this paper is to explore the reasons why carrying…
Abstract
Purpose
Evidence in the UK tells us that risky drinking is high amongst those in contact with the criminal justice system. The purpose of this paper is to explore the reasons why carrying out research around risky drinking in this setting is so difficult.
Design/methodology/approach
A commentary on the issues of carrying out research in the criminal justice setting.
Findings
There are issues of carrying out research in the criminal justice setting. The authors argue, that as academics we can be more proactive in working with practitioners in the design and carrying out of studies. By examining what the primary outcome of interest is to those that work in the field rather than what funding agencies tell us academics must use, academics may engage in a more co-productive way that enables everyone to achieve what they need. Moreover more work is needed to show how this approach can be achieved both in the UK and internationally.
Originality/value
This editorial explores some of the difficulties of carrying out alcohol research in the criminal justice system and postulates ways that this could be made easier.
Details
Keywords
Ummu Markwei, Michael Kubi, Benedicta Quao and Esther Julia Attiogbe
The purpose of this paper is to present the challenges female parliamentarians in Ghana face in their attempt to balance their professions and families.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the challenges female parliamentarians in Ghana face in their attempt to balance their professions and families.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a qualitative study which explores the nature of strain female MP’s in Ghana encounter in their struggle to achieve a work-life balance.
Findings
It is concluded that most female parliamentarians in Ghana go through tough times in trying to juggle career with family life. The study revealed that the MPs adopt strategies such as prioritizing roles, limiting official duties at home and using social support to help them cope with the pressures of their roles. The organizational policies put in place to aid female employees to achieve a healthy work-life balance did not yield much result for the participants in this study.
Originality/value
The originality of this paper lies in it being the first study that qualitatively explores the complex challenges female parliamentarians face in their political careers and family lives in Ghana.
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Stephen Bell and Peter Aggleton
The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of social context on young people's sexual lives and sexual health, and to highlight the need for HIV prevention and sexual…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of social context on young people's sexual lives and sexual health, and to highlight the need for HIV prevention and sexual health programmes which better take into account these contextual influences.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper draws on findings from a multi‐method, qualitative study involving young people aged between 11‐24 years, conducted in three rural areas in Uganda. Data were collected by means of 52 single‐sex focus group discussions, 117 in‐depth interviews, and further participatory research with 23 of these young men and women. Contextual information was gathered through interviews with parents (17), teachers (7), religious leaders (7), local clan leaders (6), community‐based NGO/CBO workers (12) and local government staff (33).
Findings
Local beliefs about age and gender suggest that intimate relationships and sexual behaviour among young people are forbidden, or at least should be hidden. Social norms produced and reproduced both by adults and young people themselves increase the likelihood of secretive, unprotected sexual relations, and inhibit young people's ability to seek sexual health‐related support and advice.
Originality/value
An understanding of these contextual influences has important implications for improving the design of HIV prevention and sexual health programming in rural communities in Uganda.